Cora's (Belated) Birthday!

 We aimed to celebrate Cora's 19th at MB2, with the go-karts and laser tag, but when we arrived, it seemed most of SClarita was already there. So, we ended up at the bowling alley, and fun was had by all. 

Lucas and Mackenzie, and their moms, joined us, along with Grandma and Grandpa.

Behind Mackenzie, you can see Stace putting his spin on the ball.

Cora bowled pretty well.

After we finished bowling, we went across the street to the big park, which has been redone recently. I had a feeling this group of teens would actually enjoy playing at the park...and I was right. 

And, we mamas here got one more (last?) time as being mamas at a park with the kids playing! At her next birthday, Cora won't even be a teen anymore.

And while I have your attention, here are a few screenshots of the video I screen-recorded of Cora's Taming of the Shrew scene at ACTF last week.

Days Out: Carpinteria and the Theatre

 This summer week's highlights were two special trips, one with each daughter.

On Wednesday, Violet finished up her schoolwork for her summer class, so we celebrated with an afternoon in Carpinteria. 

We didn't make it a "beach day" with bathing suits and towels, but we did end our evening with a lovely stroll on the sand. 

We came across this struggling butterfly that had gotten wet. We tried to help it out.

After getting tacos, we found boba and a coffee at Reyes Market, a Hispanic market that had really good drinks from the counter. We'll return when we come back to Carp!

We started our afternoon walking around the downtown boutiques, galleries and antique shops, where we saw this wall of old glassware we knew Cora would have liked.

Another highlight: on Friday evening, we met up with Cora's friends and one of the moms, and caravaned to North Hollywood for a musical. 

This one, called The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals, was put on by a group that is a favorite of all these teens - Starkid Productions. Cora has loved their work for several years, and this was the first time she's seen them in person.

I'm glad she wanted me to go along, and I enjoyed it very much. The best part was watching Cora have such a great time.

I'm thankful to Heather for inviting us! And it was great for these teens to hang out, as Heather's daughter Rowan will be going back East to college later this month.

Weekend Celebrations

 On Friday, we went to Liz and Max's house for a graduation party for Chris, and, really, all the kids. These guys have been friends since elementary school, and Chris and Cora were in Mrs. Hawthorne's kindergarten class together.

Liz knows how to put on a great party. Besides this spread, there was a burger truck out front, cooking delicious food to order.

They played in the pool - Cora was excited for a winning move in the game they were playing.

We mamas put our feet in the hot tub later in the evening.

Here were all the recent graduates!

The kids also played Jackbox games in the house. 

On Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day with hosting dinner for my parents. I gave both dads here a soap from Bubbs and Drizzle, the local family-owned shop.

On Sunday morning, our church had a display of some cool cars for the dads to admire.
Also Sunday, we realized our air conditioner wasn't working right. Uh oh.

Graduation Celebration - and Headshots

On Tuesday, we hosted Cora's school theatre friends and their families, for a little theatre-focused graduation party.

It was fantastic to finally host again after the construction! We worked hard to get the yard looking decent.

Here's the "adults" table...

...and the students and teachers section.

Jarod brought all his karaoke gear, at our request, so anyone who wanted to could sing. 

This was actually the impetus for the gathering - the students always have a karaoke party during the last theatre class of the year. While we set up the banquet, some of the moms were saying that they'd love to do karaoke, too. 

Even though I have NO desire or business singing with a mic, I loved helping make it happen.

 And these guys could sing! 

While we're on the subject of theatre, here are a few of the headshots Melanie took of Cora.

And, just for fun - this photo came up in my Facebook Memories, from the day Cora played Dorothy in Wizard of Oz when she was 7. 

After the show, when she'd changed clothes but still had on a bit of makeup, my Dad took this photo of her. It reminded me strongly of this famous shot of Vivien Leigh from Gone with the Wind.

I thought one of the more recent shots could work in a similar way. 

Maybe not as close in the expression, but not bad.

Percy Fan Club

 It's hard to express how proud I am of my girl. This musical was exhausting - she was on stage basically the entire time, and battled through feeling sick throughout. 

But no one in the audience would have known it - she sounded great, and her emotions came through in every song. Percy goes through a lot of emotions, too.

For her high school acting finale, it was great for Cora to have all four grandparents in the theater.

We had quite a crowd, especially on Opening Night. 

The lighting is awful in the auditorium, but the lobby is very loud and chaotic after shows, so it's best to stay where it's quieter.

Kindergarten teacher and mom friends! Mrs. Hawthorne has come to most of Cora's shows...

...as have Jen and Sue. I have such good, supportive friends! Colleen and family have also made most of her shows, and are in the above pic.

JT and Kelly and their families came out, as well - it was a great show for their children. 

Cora's friend Michael, who she plays D&D with, has come to all of her shows, too.

(Cora is underdressed because she was overheated at the end of the show, singing and dancing for hours under the hot lights.)

Vaughn and Anna have also seen most of her shows.

Mackenzie (Luke), Rowan (Annabeth) and Lucas (Mr. D), after the final show. Sad these four won't be on stage performing together again! How can Cora be finished with high school theatre?

Here's the cast board I made.

Week in Review

For the first time since we planted these succulents in the mailbox planter years ago, this plant has bloomed! I didn't know it did this! Four huge clusters of small bright yellow flowers. Kind of pretty, kind of crazy looking!

Spring break is over and the girls are back to school. I've been busy with little things - going through books to get rid of some and make room in the closet, milling flour for bread, and going to a WR PAC meeting. Stace has been busy with the bifold doors for the new room, so we can close it off into a guest room.

A very momentous day - Cora got her driver's license Tuesday!

She got her permit and started practicing regularly ten weeks ago, but because she's over 18, she could take the behind the wheel test when she felt ready. And, she passed it with only a few minor points off!

A whole new world has opened up.
 

Vi and I took a walk at Quigley Canyon, and came across what looked to be a baby rattlesnake - the more dangerous kind, because they don't regulate how much venom they emit when biting. 

But after our walk, we saw it again when we came back through. I did wonder if it was a rubber snake, to scare people, since it hadn't moved at all, and it wasn't in the sun. Who knows? 

The wildflowers in Rocky's field are beautiful!

After sorting out the car insurance, Cora drove off to school for the first time on Thursday. Wow - we're here! She can stay at rehearsal until she's ready to come home, no more parent waiting in the parking lot...

Also this week, Vi and I met up with Melanie and Ellie to have an early birthday lunch for Violet. We went to an Asian restaurant and market in Koreatown, not too far from the Wiltern theater.

We ate so well! And we picked up fun things to bring home from the market.

Cora had a big Saturday - she drove herself to her vocal lesson, and later drove to Rowan's house for her birthday party. A group went to Pirates Dinner Adventure, in costume. Cora loved it, and even had fun hanging out with the group afterwards at Rowan's house.